MSI GX640-098US
Specifications
Notebook: MSI GX640-098US (GX640 Series)Processor: Intel Core i5 430M
Graphics Adapter: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics
Display: 15.4 inch, 16:10, 1680x1050 pixels, glossy: yes
Weight: 3kg
Price: 1200 euro
Average of 3 scores (from 4 reviews)
Reviews for the MSI GX640-098US
Source: Maximum PC

Neither the MSI GX640-098US’s specs nor its $1,200 price tag necessarily scream “mobile gaming rig,” but the notebook’s highlighted W, A, S, and D keys say otherwise. So when the GX480 showed up on our doorstep, we wondered if the moderately powered notebook could muster up enough moxie to satisfy mobile gamers on a budget.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/23/2010
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: PC Mag

There are consequences when you run really fast parts in a 15-inch frame. For one, you run into heat issues if a manufacturer does a lousy job cooling the laptop. And two, battery life will suffer no matter how big the battery is. Fortunately, most gamers will keep the MSI GX640-098US plugged in and on a desk. It's a very good gaming laptop for gaming junkies who frequent LAN parties. For experienced gaming professionals, the Alienware M17x (now with Core i7 processors) is still the ultimate gaming machine.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/27/2010
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: PC World

This portable gaming notebook is speedy and affordable, and it has great speakers--all of which pretty much make up for the loud fan and the not-so-bright screen.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/21/2010
Rating: performance: 76% features: 82%
Source: Comp Reviews

MSI's GX640-098US is a very strong gaming laptop for those willing to spend just over a thousand dollars. This is thanks to the high performance ATI graphics processor that is Direct X 11 compatible and a display with an above average resolution. They even include a 9-cell battery giving it above average running times. General performance is a bit slower and the keyboard could use some improvement as well.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/18/2010
Rating: Total score: 80%
Comment
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) HD Graphics: Onboard graphics card that is built in the new Arrandale CPUs (Core i3 / i5 / i7 Dual Cores). Depending on the model and Turbo Boost, the GMA HD is clocked between 166 and 766 MHz.
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
430M:
The Core i5-430M is a middle class dual core CPU that features only 3 MB L3 Cache (compared to the I7-640M) and clocks between 2.26-2.53 GHz (Turbo Mode). Furthermore, VT-d, trusted Execution and AES features are missing in the 430M. Thanks to Hyperthreading, 4 threads can be processed simultaneously. An integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics with 500-733 MHz) and a DDR3 memory controller are also included in the package.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
15.4": 15 inch display-variants are the standard and are used for more than the half of all notebooks. 15.4 inch display with 16:10 are the standard for notebook displays. Nowadays, more and more 16:9 displays with 15.6 inch appear. The reason why so many people like displays with medium size is, that this size is not exhausting for the eyes, does not need too much energy and the laptops can be kept quite compact.» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.
3 kg: This weight is average for notebooks. Therefore the numerous mass of laptops with 15 inch display fits in this class of weight.
MSI: Micro-Star International (MSI), is a Taiwan based computer hardware manufacturer since 1986 best known for desktop computer motherboards. MSI also designs and manufactures graphics cards, barebone PCs, notebook computers, networking products, servers, multimedia, consumer electronics, and storage devices. MSI, as most Taiwanese computer manufacturers, sells products on OEM/ODM basis. It also sells products worldwide based on its own brand name "MSI". The market share of laptops with the MSI brand is rather low.
73.33%: This rating is bad. Most notebooks are better rated. This is not a recommendation for purchase.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.







